St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Burlington, New Jersey)

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St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Burlington, New Jersey

(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Old St. Mary's Church
Old St. Mary's Church
Location: 145 West Broad Street

Burlington, New Jersey

Coordinates: 40°07′69″N 84°86′19″W / 40.13583, -85.43861Coordinates: 40°07′69″N 84°86′19″W / 40.13583, -85.43861
Built/Founded: 1846-1854
Architect: Richard Upjohn
Added to NRHP: May 31, 1972
NRHP Reference#: 72000770 [1]
Governing body: St. Mary's Episcopal Church

St. Mary's Episcopal Church is an historic Episcopal parish in Burlington, New Jersey, in the United States. In 1795 land was acquired for a cemetery at West Broad and Wood streets and a church was built there in 1703. It is the oldest Episcopal church in New Jersey. A new church designed by noted architect Richard Upjohn was begin in 1846 at 145 West Broad Street. It was consecrated in 1854. On May 31, 1972, the new church was added to the National Register of Historic Places and on June 24, 1986, it was declared a National Historic Landmark.

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[edit] History of old church

The site of the old church was acquired in 1695 "for the Conveniency of a burying place for themselves and also for all other Christian people" in July 1695. Additional land was obtained in 1702, and the earliest known headstones date from 1706 and 1707.[2]

The old church itself was constructed in 1703, and is the oldest Episcopal church in New Jersey. Its silver communion service was a gift from Queen Anne, before her death in 1713. Its first rector, John Talbot, had been a ship's chaplain, and served as rector from 1705 to 1725. During the American Revolutionary War, Reverend Jonathan O'Dell supported the Loyalist cause, and eventually fled to Canada. The church was expanded over the years, and a Guild House was constructed at the corner of West Broad Street and Talbot Street in 1799. The church was supplanted by New Saint Mary's Church.[3]

[edit] History of new church

New St. Mary's Church was constructed between 1846 and 1854 and is the one of the earliest intentionally cruciform churches in the country. This Gothic Revival style church was designed by Richard Upjohn and modeled after St. John's Church in Shottesbrooke, England.[4] It is a massive brownstone church with a long nave. The crossing is topped by a tall stone spire that has eight bells cast in England by Thomas Mears in 1865.[5]

[edit] Notable burials

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